Protective pad assembly for the loader bucket of a backhoe

Abstract

A protective pad assembly for the loader bucket of a backhoe that prevents the bottom surface of the loader bucket from marring or destroying any surface upon which it is forced downwardly upon when the backhoe is being used. The major component of the structure is an elongated rubber pad that has a top plate secured to its top surface. The front end of the top plate has a hook member extending rearwardly above its top surface for detachably capturing the lower front cutting edge of the loader bucket. A predetermined length of chain has one end connected to the top plate and its other end connected to a second hook member having a curved portion being configured to detachably receive the upper front edge of the loader bucket. There is also structure for temporarily shortening the extended length of the chain between the top plate and the second hook member thereby clamping the protective pad assembly to the loader bucket of a backhoe.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A protective pad assembly for the loader bucket of a backhoe comprising: an elongated pad of non-metallic material having a predetermined length L1 and predetermined height H1, said pad having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front end and a rear end;   an elongated top plate having a predetermined length L2, a front end, a rear end, a top surface and a bottom surface;   a first hook member rigidly connected to the front end of said top plate member and it extends rearwardly over the top surface of said top plate and it is spaced a predetermined height thereabove so that the lower front cutting edge of the loader bucket of a backhoe can be detachably captured therein;   means for securing said top plate to the top surface of said elongated pad;   a second hook member having a shank portion and a curved portion, said curved portion being configured to detachably receive the upper front edge of the loader bucket of a backhoe;   a predetermined extended length of chain having its one end connected to said top plate and its other end connected to the shank portion of said second hook member; and   means for temporarily shortening the extended length of said chain between said top plate and said second hook member thereby clamping said protective pad assembly to the loader bucket of a backhoe.   
     
     
       2. A protective pad assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein a portion of the front end of said pad is beveled downwardly and rearwardly to its bottom surface. 
     
     
       3. A protective pad assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein L2 is less than L1 so that the rear end of said top plate does not extend all the way to the rear end of said elongated pad. 
     
     
       4. A protective pad assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said top plate has a downwardly extending lip that contacts the front end of said elongated pad. 
     
     
       5. A protective pad assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said elongated pad is made of rubber material. 
     
     
       6. A protective pad assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said elongated pad has a substantially square cross section.